DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Boca Raton husband and wife were under arrest.
Authorities say they were selling counterfeit designer goods like handbags, wallets and jewelry from their business, The Salon Delray, in unincorporated Delray Beach.
Sheriff’s detectives got an anonymous tip about the on-going sale of counterfeit designer bags being sold out of this salon.
So undercover detectives went in and they say they bought counterfeit goods here, which led to the arrest of the owner and his wife.
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CBS12 went into The Salon Delray to see if we could find the owner. He was sitting near the front, styling a woman’s hair.
“I have no comment. I’d like you to leave my salon,” said John Fiorenzi, who is named in the arrest report as President of The Salon Delray.
“Were you selling the counterfeit goods?” CBS12 asked him.
“I have no comment, sir,” Fiorenzi said.
PBSO arrested Fiorenzi, 63 and his wife Jaqueline Fiorenzi, 58, for selling counterfeit goods.
According to the arrest report, Jacqueline Fiorenzi told an undercover detective her business offers cosmetic services such as hair and nail services. And she allegedly told the undercover detective that she had a small boutique in her salon. The arrest report says the boutique consisted of a small hallway formed by two large displays with several purses, jewelry and accessories.
Authorities say a search of their salon in Delray Beach and their home in Boca Raton turned up all sorts of counterfeit designer handbags, purses, wallets and jewelry with high-end luxury brand names such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Fendi and others.
The value of the counterfeit merchandise totals more than $400,000.00.
They also seized nearly $151,000 in cash, 13 firearms and more than 100 pounds of ammunition.
“It’s strange that you grow up your whole life and and you never really know who you’re next to. You know, it’s pretty eye-opening,” said Kenneth Pryor, a neighbor who lives across the street from John and Jacqueline Fiorenzi on Mohigan Circle in Boca Raton.
Pryor told CBS12 News he can’t believe they were arrested for allegedly selling or offering counterfeit goods for sale, which is a third degree felony.
“You know, I knew the guy on almost a friend level so, I didn’t know any of that. That’s yeah, just a complete shock, yeah,” Pryor said.
Most merchants in the same plaza as the Salon Delray declined comment.
But the owner of a Chinese restaurant says he’s stunned.
“I never noticed that they’re selling counterfeit things, but they’ve been here for many many years already, you know. So it surprised me too, you know,” said Paul Lee, owner of Beijing Palace Restaurant.
According to the arrest report, Fiorenzi and his wife were selling counterfeit goods for a fraction of what the real brand name item would sell for.
For example, authorities say they were selling a Louis Vuitton wallet for $70 and a real Louis Vuitton wallet would cost $490.
A gold Chanel bracelet sold for $50, but the real deal in a retail store would cost $1,500.00.